World cycling urges Armstrong to testify

LAUSANNE (AFP) –

US Lance Armstrong wins the 17th stage of the 91st Tour de France cycling race between Bourg-d’Oisans and Le Grand Bornand July 22, 2004. Cycling’s world governing body has called on Armstrong to give evidence to its investigation into widespread doping, amid reports that the US rider would admit taking banned substances in an interview.

Cycling’s world governing body on Tuesday called on Lance Armstrong to give evidence to its investigation into widespread doping, amid reports that the US rider would admit taking banned substances in an interview.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) said in an emailed statement that it would not be commenting until the interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey had been broadcast, although it “noted” media reports that he had “finally come clean”.

“If these reports are true, we would strongly urge Lance Armstrong to testify to the Independent Commission established to investigate the allegations made against the UCI in the recent USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) reasoned decision on Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal Service (USPS) team,” it added.

The USADA last year placed Armstrong at the heart of what it said was the most sophisticated doping programme in the history of sport, banned him from cycling for life and stripped him of his record seven Tour de France victories.

The UCI, which later upheld the decision, is looking at how it handled the affair, with questions asked about how the rider was able to evade detection for so long. The commission is due to report by June 1.